The Final Boss Has Returned 40

Chapter 40

[Just because?]

Shin Ha-yeon-ssi’s sweet voice flowed into my ear through a whisper.

I could see her smiling at me.

Just because.

I couldn’t tell if she was hiding her true intentions or if she just said that because she had nothing else to say, but in any case, she and I were allies firmly bound by mutual interests.

It wasn’t an alliance that would easily crack over something like this.

Anyway, whatever the reason, the personal power she possessed would definitely be helpful.

According to the information registered in the Ard Saga Second official website’s Combat Information Archive, her combat power was SS-rank, a level 400 ice magic specialized mage decked out in legendary grade items from head to toe.

If she, with her High Ranker level power, joined me, it would certainly be helpful.

[If you’re by my side, your power and, well, it would be quite helpful.]

Shin Ha-yeon-ssi, who heard my whisper, burst into laughter, covering her mouth.

A whisper from Shin Ha-yeon-ssi, who smiled pleasantly, reached me.

[Thank you. I look forward to working with you.]

[Likewise.]

The moment I finished whispering with Shin Ha-yeon-ssi.

[‘Ha-yeon’ has sent you a party invitation.]

[Would you like to accept the party invitation?]

Shin Ha-yeon-ssi sent me a party invitation, and I accepted it.

[You have accepted ‘Ha-yeon’s party invitation.]

[You have joined ‘Ha-yeon’s party.]

Just as I was erasing the notification window that appeared before my eyes.

“Follow me, both of you. I will guide you to where Kraken sleeps.”

Nereus said this and led the way, and I followed him out of the reception room with Shin Ha-yeon-ssi.

▄ ▄ ▄

Kraken!

The place where the Merfolk’s Guardian Beast slumbered was in the basement of this conch-shaped building, Kraken’s Sanctuary.

Descending deep underground, an unbelievably massive cavity came into view!

Kraken was sleeping there.

‘I thought it was big when I saw it in the cinematic, but its size is truly enormous.’

The majesty of Kraken seen in person was truly overwhelming.

Kraken looked like a giant squid.

However, because its size was so colossal, it felt like seeing a sea monster that would only appear in movies.

Of course, in the previous game, I also led the Iron Blood Alliance’s elite executives on quite a few giant monster raids, but seeing it then and seeing it now, six years later, felt completely different.

Moreover, since the underwater fields were unpopular and the underwater dungeons were places that even Rankers avoided due to their difficulty, even I had only encountered such a massive sea monster in the ocean once in the previous game.

Just as I was slowly approaching Kraken in the underground cavity while looking at it.

[The Ten Thousand Year Coral Ring reacts to Kraken.]

Along with the notification window that popped up, the coral ring on my finger began to vibrate.

I smiled as I touched the coral ring that was trembling like a cell phone.

‘I thought there would be some hidden element since it was described as a sealed item, but I never imagined it would be related to Kraken!’

Ten Thousand Year Coral Ring!

Although the option window described it as a sealed item, I never dreamed it would be a seal related to Kraken.

‘To think a pumpkin would roll in with the vine, I guess today is my lucky day!’

I smiled as I touched the Ten Thousand Year Coral Ring.

As everyone knows, it’s common sense that unsealing a sealed item results in a better item.

While I was smiling and touching the ring.

“Place the item you brought on the Abyss Altar over there.”

Nereus pointed to a dark blue stone altar in front of Kraken and spoke.

Without a word, I approached the altar and took out the Thunderbird’s Horn from my inventory and placed it on top.

At that moment.

[The Abyss Altar reacts to the Thunderbird’s Horn.]

[The power contained within the Thunderbird’s Horn is absorbed by Kraken.]

With a short notification window, the Abyss Altar emitted a dark blue light, and simultaneously, the Thunderbird’s Horn turned into light and disappeared, seeping into Kraken’s body.

Crackle!

Blue sparks enveloped Kraken’s massive body.

At the same time, the cavity began to shake as if an earthquake had suddenly occurred.

Above the shaking cavity, I saw it.

Kraken.

The eyes of the sea monster, resembling a giant mountain, opened wide.

[Contractor of the Dark God, you have awakened me.]

A gentle yet majestic voice echoed in my head.

I instinctively realized.

The Merfolk’s Guardian Beast, Kraken!

It was talking to me.

[Furthermore, you possess the ring of my old friend.]

Kraken’s massive tentacles moved smoothly.

“Are you referring to this when you say your friend’s ring?”

I raised my right index finger, which was wearing the ring, towards Kraken.

[The Ten Thousand Year Coral Ring reacts to the awakened Kraken.]

The ring on my finger began to vibrate even more violently than before.

[That is correct.]

Kraken’s massive tentacle approached before my eyes.

Even while looking at the tentacle, which was much larger than my height, I didn’t even blink.

Maybe an ordinary user would be surprised, but I was a veteran player and former Top Ranker who had experienced all sorts of battles in Ard Saga!

I wasn’t going to be surprised by something like this.

[The fact that you, who revived me, possess the ring of my friend cannot be dismissed as a mere coincidence. It is an event akin to destiny.]

Kraken’s words continued.

[Originally, I would have needed to conduct a separate test to prove your worthiness to be the owner of the ring, but since you have saved my life, I will omit the test. I, Kraken, will acknowledge you as my friend and the owner of this ring. Contractor.]

As soon as Kraken finished speaking, the tip of its extended tentacle touched the ring on my outstretched right hand.

At that moment.

A blinding blue light poured out from the ring.

And along with it, the notification window I had been waiting for finally appeared in my view.

[Kraken acknowledges you as the true owner of the ring.]

[The seal on the Ten Thousand Year Coral Ring has been lifted.]

The ring’s seal was finally lifted!

‘Seeing that there was a prepared test, it seems like I originally had to progress through a quest to unseal it, but to think I don’t have to, what a stroke of luck!’

I smiled as I looked at the notification window.

And as I looked at the option window that appeared afterward, the smile on my face couldn’t help but widen.

[Kraken’s Essence Ring]

[Grade: Legendary] [Category: Ring]

[Durability: 8000/8000]

[A ring with a jade stone embedded, containing a portion of the essence of Kraken, the sea monster of the deep sea, imbued with the essence of the abyss.]

[It is a symbol of the friendship between the first Merfolk King, Triton, and the Guardian Beast, Kraken, and one of the first Merfolk King Triton’s artifacts.]

[This ring has finally fallen into the hands of one who has earned the qualification of a friend, and has regained its true form.]

[After a long time, the severed friendship of the sea has finally been reconnected.]

[Kraken will acknowledge you as a friend until the day it dies.]

[Item Effects]

[Underwater Breathing] [Underwater Communication]

[Underwater Adaptability +120%]

[Water Resistance +100%]

[Ice Resistance +80%]

[All Stats +60]

[Defense +30]

[Special Ability: Abyss Shield]

[Creates a translucent shield made of seawater imbued with magic power.]

[Special Ability: Abyssal Blessing]

[Adds +5% Water Attribute additional damage to all attacks.]

[This ability can be toggled on/off.]

[Special Ability: Kraken Summon]

[Summons Kraken. However, it cannot be summoned in places without water.]

[Usage Restriction: Those acknowledged by Kraken]

[You have acquired the title ‘Kraken’s Friend’.]

[You have achieved the achievement ‘Taming Kraken’.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[All stats have increased by 40.]

[The Sea Demon is overjoyed.]

[The Destruction Demon pouts.]

[The Dark God smiles with satisfaction.]

[The Sea Demon sponsors 5000 points.]

The unsealed Ten Thousand Year Coral Ring, no, Kraken’s Essence Ring, was of Legendary grade!

Not only were the options as splendid as its grade, but there were also the always sweet stat and level-up notifications!

It was truly a tree that gave without holding back.

Feeling satisfied, I withdrew my outstretched right hand and looked at Nereus behind me.

Now that the Guardian Beast had awakened, it was his turn to be recognized as the king by Kraken.

As I finished speaking, the Merfolk with golden scales approached Kraken and knelt.

“Kraken.”

[Nereus. It has been a long time.]

Kraken’s voice resonated throughout the cavity.

I quietly stepped back and stood next to Shin Ha-yeon-ssi.

“It is an honor to see you again, Guardian Beast.”

[Much time has passed since that day. So, what is the reason you have awakened me?]

“To be recognized as the rightful king.”

The rightful king!

Finally, one of the two main objectives of the quest was mentioned by Nereus.

[The rightful king, you mean to reunite the eight tribes?]

“Yes. They, along with the Guardian Beast, and finally, the Contractor, will reclaim our territory that was taken by the Mermaids and furthermore, join the ancient alliance.”

Nereus’s eyes blazed with passion.

[Good.]

Kraken waved its tentacles.

[Descendant of Triton, Nereus. As the Guardian Beast of the Merfolk Kingdom, I, Kraken, recognize you as one worthy of the title of king.]

Kraken’s voice resonated loudly, and with it, blue sparks, like lightning, shot out from the tip of Kraken’s extended tentacle and struck Nereus directly.

Crackle!

A golden glow surrounded Nereus’s body, who was struck by the lightning, and then disappeared.

[The Guardian Beast Kraken has acknowledged Merfolk Prince Nereus’s right to succeed the throne.]

[You have achieved one of the completion conditions for the quest ‘Revival of the Merfolk Kingdom’.]

[Your level has increased.]

[Your level has increased.]

[All stats have increased by 10.]

…….

[Legacy Skill ‘Tyrant’s Command (Legendary)’ is unlocked.]

[Tyrant’s Command]

[Grade: Legendary]

[Legacy Level: Beginner Level 1]

[Although the Steel Monarch Drakan was a cruel and ruthless tyrant, his leadership in commanding an army was unmatched in the history of Ard World.]

[The army led by the Steel Monarch Drakan knew no defeat until the appearance of the Hero Eugene.

The powerful soldiers of the Iron Blood Alliance, under the command of the Steel Monarch Drakan, swept across all of Ard World, reigning as symbols of fear, and the flag bearing the black cogwheel emblem with the red skull, the symbol of the Iron Blood Alliance, caused all the inhabitants of Ard World to tremble in fear and terror.]

[The Legacy Skill ‘Tyrant’s Command’ is a skill where the powerful leadership and fear of the Steel Monarch Drakan, who commanded armies as recorded in history, are materialized. When using this Legacy Skill, the leadership and fear of the Steel Monarch Drakan manifest, boosting the morale of allies and demoralizing enemies.]

[Skill Effects]

[All Stats of Allies +10] [Attack Power of Allies +10%] [Morale of Allies Increased]

[All Stats of Enemies -10] [Attack Power of Enemies -10%] [Morale of Enemies Decreased]